Super Cup promises exciting season

Muscat – Dhofar defeated Al Suwaiq 2-1 to win the Super Cup in a very thrilling curtain-raiser for the Oman football season 2017-18. With the win, the OPL champions avenged their 2-0 loss to Al Suwaiq in the His Majesty’s Cup final last season. An own goal from Al Suwaiq defender Mohammed al Musalami put Dhofar ahead before the half-time. Super substitute Said al Ruzaiqi secured the title for the Salalah giants when he doubled the lead in the 84th minute. The late penalty converted by AbdulAziz al Muqbali was not enough to avoid Al Suwaiq’s loss.

In comparison with the last year’s Super Cup final between Fanja and Saham, this game showed a good prediction of the upcoming domestic football season. Al Suwaiq manager Belaci’s men managed to score from the early minutes of the game but their better ball possession was not effective enough. Dhofar depended on counter-attack and they utilised a long free kick to have the lead as Mohammed al Musalami turned the ball to his own goal. In the second half, Belaci made two substitutions in order to find an equaliser. Oman national team striker Mohsen al Gasani, who came in, had some serious tries from the left wing but failed to score.
Dhofar manager Florin Motorc continued his tactical style which stopped Al Suwaiq players from making any threats on his goal. Florin then made a crucial substitution by replacing Hisham al Sheibi with Said al Ruzaiqi (Al Shalhoob) who netted the second goal for Dhofar in the 84th minute.
Al Suwaiq did not give up and tried to save their pride but the time was not enough as AbdulAziz Al Muqbali scored the lone goal in the injury time.
The game was very different from the one they played in the final of His Majesty’s Cup last year as they both signed new Romanian managers: Motorc Florin for Dhofar and Belaci for Al Suwaiq as both clubs look ahead to the new season.
The first week of Omantel League will begin on September 13.